Disclaimer:- I neither own nor earn anything from this story. It is written purely for fun.
sSs
A/N:- As I mentioned last authors note. This chapter includes a very alternative universe Bellatrix Lestrange. She is neither evil nor insane, she is how I imagine her if she hadn't had those afflictions. I do hope you will give her a chance, as this IS an alternative universe, and as such any characters can be anything. Cornelius Fudge remained Minister for Magic in this world, as there was no second coming to unseat him. He is even more sycophantic in this story than he was in the books.
I also wish to acknowledge once more that this fiction is a gift for Petite Mule, and she has again helped me by proof reading it before posting, thank you. xox.
So, on with the story. This chapter took on a life of its own, and is consequentially rather longer than the first two. I hope you all enjoy…
hHh
Chapter three – A Hidden World
In his haste to get his students the upper hand, Snape had swept from the Great Hall missing the glance that passed between the other two heads of house. It was still rather early; lessons were not due to start for another half an hour. Once the party reached Snape's classroom, he ushered them inside and closing the door, warded it. Turning to Draco and Theo, Severus glowered. "You do know what you've just managed to do, don't you?"
Both young men levelled their head of house with a mutinous glare. "Severus, they attacked her, this time," he glanced at Hermione, "it's not bloody right," the blond aristocrat finished angrily.
Theo added. "They both deserved it, you know that the headmaster will never punish them for it."
Severus sighed. "Indeed, however your alacrity has the headmaster, and the head of Gryffindor. Both rather nasty Gryffindors," the Potions master stated with more than a little distaste, "now out for Slytherin blood."His eyes narrowed in obvious irritation. The quiet gasp he heard from Hermione was not lost on him either, so he clarified matters for her benifit. "You forget that as sons of Slytherin we are still merely tolerated by most of the Gryffindor hierarchy. There is much unfounded mistrust for our house. Even if none of us agreed with the ravings of that lunatic who called himself the Dark Lord, we are all still judged by his deeds." As he was finishing this sentence, the floo flared three times. "If the truth is known we were all overjoyed when Albus finished him off in the Chamber Of Secrets." Snape watched as they nodded in agreement. Finally he sighed. "Now, I suggest you enlighten your parents of your heroic deed. I shall be there momentarily." Almost as an afterthought, Snape turned to the retreating young men. "It was the right course of action; you have both acquitted yourselves admirably." He sighed. "Now, all we need to do is handle the fallout," and he offered a quiet smile to them, in a show of solidarity.
The young wizards walked with a grace and confidence Hermione envied, and silently wished she had, as she watched Draco pull the door of the Potions master's office open. The Gryffindor witch had listened attentively to her professor, and she was shocked further, but not surprised to hear how other houses preserved their treatment by Gryffindors.
Looking to her Potions master, she did so with a better understanding of what he endures to teach here, and also of what these two young men had risked in protecting their head of house and her. Even if she too had always thought it was unfair that Gryffindors held a majority of the offices of power, she had been alone in her view amongst her peers. Bringing her Muggle heritage to the Wizarding situation told her, Hermione knew, that it was never a good thing.
Hermione turned to the steady gaze of Severus Snape, whom she could honestly say, she had always trusted. The chestnut-haired witch had come to realise many years ago, that he told the truth. So, she knew what she had heard now would be reliable, regardless of what her Gryffindor peers and elders had attempted to press upon her for the last seven years. She watched him fold his arms over his chest and observe her quietly.
What Draco had said to her Saturday morning, suddenly hit her full force. Of course her instant reaction to it was to flush badly. She hated that this happened to her every time she felt out of her depth emotionally, it showed her lack of experience, and made her feel about as sophisticated as a door mouse.
Snape saw her pretty blush, he found himself relishing its intent and hue. Over the time she had been his assistant, he had made several small pushes towards friendship with her, a significant one last Friday. Smiling he allowed himself to remember her soft sighs and doe like eyes. The head of Slytherin found himself growing quite fond of this young woman, she seemed to fill a need that no one else had ever managed to. As always though, he quashed these thoughts brutally.
He had realised on the journey down here from the Great Hall that in all honesty, there was no way she was ready to stand up against both her head of house and the headmaster, to support of all houses, Slytherin. So she couldn't come with them, but his instinct was to keep her close, he'd have to think of something else.
Watching her closely, it didn't take long for her blush to darken beautifully under his gaze, and she lowered her eyes. He'd expected as much. After a moment he moved closer, and heard her nervous intake of breath. Placing a firm finger under her chin he lifted her head. Making certain his voice was gentle he asked. "Are you cognisant of exactly what has happened here?" Her eyes were huge pools within her countenance, but she remained silent. Snape could see her frustration and confusion. He watched as her bottom lip quivered slightly before she brought it under control, and she nodded her head.
"Although I don't understand why Harry would want to hex me? I was only trying to tell him that copying the work I give him for his help word for word is wrong…" Her voice was quivery, and cracked; Snape could hear the hurt in it.
He cringed internally as he thought. Damn, this is really going to tear her apart when the final blow comes. However, he said out loud. "He's used to getting his own way, kitten." He heard her gasp at the name. Yes, little one, it's time you started to realise how important you are. Outside his mind, his words kept coming calmly. "He will always become very nasty when he doesn't. His father was the same when he was a student here."
"Oh… but I thought he was my friend," her expression was coy.
His gaze rested on her doe eyes and he sighed once more. "My poor little ingénue," he stroked her cheek once, before his hand disappeared. "It is all so difficult for you. You are the most astounding witch I know. You posses the intelligence of a genius, yet you can't fathom this." He shook his head. "We will talk further later." Snape waited until she had nodded her understanding. "Do you trust me, Hermione?" He watched her nodded without hesitation, and draw in a breath, this was the point of no return. "Then come, there are some people I'd like you to meet."
With his hand on her elbow guiding her, Snape manoeuvred her into his office. The occupants of which turned as they heard him enter.
As the Potions master approached the door to his office he saw it was partially ajar. He chuckled quietly, he had been expecting this. "Still sticking you aristocratic nose into my business, ay Lucius?" he commented from the doorway.
The wizard with the silky blond hair chuckled in return and bowed his head. "How else am I to keep abreast," his eyes perused Hermione, "of current developments," he called back, his cultured voice purring, as his eyes flared.
Snape gave his best friend a warning stare, but it was a blonde witch who answered. "Lucius dear, are you giving Severus a hard time?"
"Never, my love, merely interested," the man called Lucius smoothed. His eyes still fixed on Hermione.
"Mmm," his wife smoothed. "I can see where you're interest could get you too if I read the glint in Sev's eye correctly," the witch finished privately to her husband.
"Indeed, looks like this one may be a keeper," Lucius whispered back, as he watched Severus approach with Hermione.
The Gryffindor witch was instantly encompassed by a feeling of acceptance as the couple turned calm smiles towards her. She took the opportunity while they were talking, to take in their impeccable dress and manner.
Severus smirked, almost casually. "If you two are finished being inexcusably rude, I wish you to meet this young lady."
Both blonds continued to smile calmly at him. Severus turned composed eyes to Hermione, before he cleared his throat. "Miss Hermione Granger, allow me to introduce Lord Lucius Malfoy, Draco's father."
Hermione tentatively raised her hand to shake, but found it scooped up in the wizard's warm and graceful hand. The young woman had never had someone kiss her hand before, and she instantly fell in love with the custom. "I'm very pleased to meet you, my dear. This is my wife, Narcissa," he continued as the cool blonde witch, threaded her arm through his.
"Happy to make you acquaintance," Narcissa responded, smiling. Hermione felt her mouth tug into a smile in return. "Oh my, what a pretty smile you have," the amiable witch continued.
Severus pressed Hermione along. "And this is Madam Bellatrix Lestrange, Theodore's mother," he stated. Hermione took in the glamorous witch in front of her, from her knowing, ruby red lips to her copious silky black curls cascading down her back.
The astute witch's dark eyes took in every facet of Hermione in return, her sharp clear eyes landing on Hermione's house tie. "Oh dear, Sev, a Gryffindor, are you certain?"
Severus' tone contained a hint of exasperation. "Miss Granger is not typical of the product of that house, Bella."
"It's true, Mother. Hermione has been a friend of ours for some time now," Theo stated.
"Yes, I believe we are finally getting her to see some sense," Draco agreed, with a smile aimed at the head girl.
Bella's gaze scrutinized a moment longer, and Hermione felt magic ripple around her. "Yes, I concur, that should have been my first instinct. She is a safe hand." Her inquisitor smiled mysteriously, and her sharpness, softened slightly. "I'm charmed, Miss Granger."The next statement though, was directed to Narcissa. "You are correct Cissy. The young lady does have a magnificent smile." Her shrewd eyes shifted back to Hermione. "And what a heart breaker you'll be, lovely one." A slim finger with a long taloned red nail lifted Hermione's chin, and moved her head as if examining her bone structure. "Beautiful," she breathed. Then to Severus, she smile and nodded. "Very good, Sev." Her eyes continued, now examining Hermione's curls. "You have beautiful hair, my dear; do you like my hair care products?"
These beautiful people were telling Hermione things she had never heard before. Her mother had never thought looks and finery were important. As long as you had your health, the rest would take care of itself. This no nonsense attitude fitted with the Granger perspective of everyone is equal.
Hermione agreed with this philosophy to a point. She had blindly lived her life by it, until a few years ago, when she realised that no matter how many shelters she spent Christmas in with her parents helping the less fortunate, it never made one wit of difference to anyone. This last Christmas she had out rightly resented the fact that her parents cared so little for her feelings on the matter. They had been very displeased at her objections, and eventually she had given in, but it had almost felt like punishment to her.
This was the last Christmas they would have spent together, as her parents had decided now she was of age, she no longer needed them. They were in the process of selling everything, so they could join an organisation very much like Médecins Sans Frontières, only for Dentists.
The young woman wasn't going to be destitute; she had quite a lucrative College fund, and the promise of an apartment. Bur Hermione was fairly certain that they would be expecting her to rejoin the Muggle world in exchange for these privileges. This was something she'd long ago worked out she wasn't going to do.
To cement this decision further in her mind, she now had friends who treated her like an equal. Hermione had discovered that Slytherin house had close links with Ravenclaw and even Hufflepuff. Unseen by any Gryffindor, the other three houses were all cordial to each other. She felt quite privileged that she was being admitted into this world, one which was so carefully guarded from intrusion.
This scene now was certainly the icing on the cake. She was not only beside the wizard, who was quickly becoming the man at the centre of her desires. As she stood beside him, she was being introduced to his friends, and they were all exactly the type of people she craved for company. The new core group of her peers had accepted her, an outsider, not from their house, and now in some strange way the picture seemed complete.
Only it was far from that, by going in the direction she wanted to, she would be killing off any chance of her Gryffindor friends still wanting her. There, in a nut shell was the biggest problem, she may wish to be a part of this world. But she was not, and it was all very daunting, and all the attention was all starting to be a little overwhelming.
Hermione suddenly felt unworthy, like a grub to their beautiful butterflies. Severus felt her tense, and saw her square her shoulders, as she tried not to look as beset as she felt. Leaning forward to her ear, he whispered. "Don't fret, little one, no harm will come to you." The sound of his voice in her ear, almost made her eyes glaze over. This reaction made her even more upset.
Hermione looked up at him. She knew she was having trouble hiding the pain and conflict in her eyes, but there was nothing she could do about it. Oh I wish this was easier, I want all of this. But it's like you're dangling a carrot in front of me. I know I can't have it, and especially you, you would never look at me. I need to get out of here before I make an idiot of myself. However, it appeared that her mind was not finished tormenting her. Because then it pointed out to her that she had just been almost hexed by someone she considered a friend
These people were exactly what she had never found in the Wizarding world, and the pain at thinking she couldn't have it was excruciating. Finally, she managed to say. "Yes Ma'am, thank you."
Snape sensed something was very wrong, but now was not the time to find out what, they had to solve this problem. He gave her elbow a squeeze hoping it helped and then turned his attention to the room once more. More than that, when she turned back to the witch who still had her chin balanced in her index finger. Hermione saw a flash of alarm fly through the dark woman's eyes.
Immediately turning to Severus, the glamorous witch asked with some concern evident in her voice. "Is she safe, Sev? I'm sensing great pain and trouble surrounding her."
Severus pursed his lips. "I am unsure of that," he conceded, and smiled tightly. Looking at a very confused Hermione, he didn't answer her unspoken question, but asked instead. "It is seventh years communal free now, is it not?" Although I'm not going to tell you, I know you're not safe. So in future you won't see me, but you'll no longer be patrolling alone.
Hermione was bewildered by everything they were saying now. "Y-yes, sir," a very mystified young woman muttered.
"Very well then, if I can trust you to concentrate on the class, and not concern yourself with what's happening anywhere else in the castle." Her professor regarded her seriously, and saw her pulling herself together. He smiled internally, although his calm remained unaltered. "May I ask you to supervise my first year Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff Potions class, until I return?" Severus watched her face erupt into a beaming smile. "I take it that is yes?"
"Oh yes, sir. I'm certain I could do that."
"Come then, and I'll show you what I have prepared for them this morning." Severus turned to everyone else. "Please excuse us." He placed his hand in the middle of Hermione's back and guided her to the door. Knowing Bella's ability he was now very concerned for his new friends welfare. Her predictions were based on her empathic ability, and she had never been wrong.
For better or worse, she was unerringly accurate. After passing Frank and Alice Longbottom at a Ministry function back in 1981, and sensing doom. She had tried to tell Dumbledore that the young family needed to go into hiding, because she sense great danger for them. He had ignored her, and the next night, all three of them were dead. The mad wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort had been told of a Prophecy, over heard by one of the few foolish wizards who had followed him. The seer had told of a chosen one born as the seventh month dies. There were two babies born who fitted that description, the Longbottom baby and Harry Potter.
Of course, the Slytherin witch had not been thanked for her warning. Instead they had tried to say she knew about it, and was therefore a follower of this madman. This was probably when the permanent schism between the current Gryffindor hierarchy and the rest of the houses happened.
Turning back, Hermione smiled shakily. "It was very nice to meet you all," she said in a small voice. All including Draco and Theo, who were now very quiet, nodded to her.
Once they were in the classroom, Severus closed the adjoining door and warded it this time. Then turning Hermione, he gently took her by the upper arms. "I'm sorry, Miss Granger. It hasn't even crossed my mind to wonder if you were hurt in the incident."
Hermione lowered her eyes, her arms wound around her middle, and it was a tiny voice that answered. "No sir, I'm fine," she didn't want him to see that the whole scene next door had her descending into despair, over her sense of responsibility to her friends battling her desire for acceptance in a group that treated her with more care and understanding.
Of course this was no new dilemma for her; she had been trying to strike a happy medium with this issue ever since she had started being friends with Draco, and consequentially people other than Gryffindors. The scene next door had just brought it into clearer relief for her.
It didn't surprise her though, when her professor said. "Look at me. I can plainly see you are not coping. I need to know you're capable of doing what I'm asking of you, or I shall have to find someone else."
The eyes that slowly rose to his were fighting tears. "I'm fine, sir. I just have… I'll be all right."
He watched her Gryffindor courage settle around her like a mantle. Perhaps she is in the right house, after all, he pondered. She had straightened and was now looking attentive, so Severus explained what she was to do, and giving her arms a squeeze, left her to it.
Snape had just passed back through the door, when Lucius smoothed. "So you have finally found another moth," the blond wizard tried to look passed his friend into the classroom, "and may I say she will be exquisite when the chrysalis opens. She will far exceed Emily Woodside." Lucius glanced at his friend. "I don't know why you didn't stake your claim better there?"
Severus snorted, but ignored his friend's question. "There's a lot to do before that day, my friend."
"Mmm, granted." Lucius said, and then smoothly changing topic, he continued. "Now what's all this about Draco and Theo hexing that little twerp Potter, and a Weasley no less?" His lip curled in a mew of distaste. "Shall I obtain us a little support?" His eyebrow ascended just as smoothly as Severus' always did. "This situation is really becoming untenable; they have gone too far this time."
Severus pursed his lips and walked back into his office. "Perhaps that would be prudent," he agreed. Smiling, he gave Narcissa a quick peck of greeting. "Cissy looking as lovely as ever." Turning to Bella, he gifted her with a more lingering kiss. It always amused Severus, how this witch seemed to be able to control where her lipstick was left. He knew with certainty that she would leave a lipstick mark on his mouth, yet on other parts of his anatomy. Taking a deep breath Severus proceeded to explain what had happened and why.
When the whole story had been revealed, Lucius pursed his lips. Looking to his son and nephew he smiled tightly. "You took the correct course of action, never fear we'll make certain you remain for your last five months."
Lucius gave Narcissa a kiss and strode towards the fire place. "I'll meet you all in the headmaster's office, I know just who to approach." The blond wizard reached for floo powder, and in a moment span out of sight.
Severus looked at the two witches standing watching the fireplace in contemplation. "Well we better go face the Gryffindors," his mobile lip curled in distaste.
xox
The group were heading across the front entrance, when an owl swooped in, and hovering in front of Severus, it presented him with a sealed envelope before wheeling around and leaving. The front had his name on it, and he recognised the writing, a raven eyebrow rose with interest. Opening the missive, Snape took out three sealed vials and quickly pocketed them. He read the attached note, then crumpling the envelope and note into a ball before anyone had a chance to read it, he threw it into the air. "Evanesco," he muttered, smirking at the four heads watching the progress of the parchment into the air. Looking around, he said. "Well come on," even the two witches knew if Severus didn't volunteer information, you would never get it out of him. So they started their progress towards the headmaster once more.
As they approached the gargoyle, Snape spat the password distastefully. "Wiggly sour worms," and the party proceeded up the stairs. The Potions master's countenance hardened to steel while he ascended the steps. By the time they had entered the headmaster's office without knocking, his stormy expression fixed.
Albus Dumbledore was sitting resplendent in royal blue with gold trim. Standing at his right hand was Minerva McGonagall, and to complete the trinity, on the other side of his desk was Cornelius Fudge. Snape sniffed in distain, trust the Gryffindors to ask that little coward to the meeting. "Minister," he nodded curtly.
Waiting, while the two Slytherin witches were greeted tersely by Albus and Minerva, and Fudge made a spectacle of himself over them. Especially Bella, Snape knew what he wanted, and it wasn't an invitation to tea. Severus took his time arranging Narcissa and Bellatrix in chairs, then whispering to them both. "Watch the lemon drops; once he starts chewing them continuously, he's close to caving." They both nodded, turning in an abrupt swirl of black robes, Snape smoothed almost as an afterthought. "Oh, Lucius sends his apologies, he will be here momentarily," and ushering the two young men forward, to stand by their mothers, he placed himself behind them.
Whilst it was not in Narcissa's temperament to speak out of turn, the same could not be said for her sister Bella, who now drew breath. "I hate to be a bother, headmaster, but there appears to be some people missing. Were we erroneous in our time frame?"
However, it was Fudge who answered tutting and shaking his head. "Misters Potter and Weasley are not required to be here; therefore we haven't bothered their dear parents."
Well, thought Snape, telling her she's mistaken is not the way to earn extra points in your favour. Not that you'd have a chance anyway.
The dark witch drew herself up in her seat, and asked imperiously. "And why ever not, I understand they cast the first curses? My son and nephew were merely stopping them harming a professor and a student."
"Dear, dear, dear lady, you seem to have the story wrong. It was an unprovoked attack." he Minister stated, shaking his head and giving Draco and Theo a nasty look, which was not lost on the Slytherins.
Severus snorted. "Come now Albus, it is one thing to be delusional," he stated coldly, "yet it is another thing entirely to outright lie. You know as well as I do that no one, except Potter and Weasley provoked the incident." Snape's eyes slid to Fudge, who was already looking like he was about to abandon a sinking ship. Everyone knew he has little time for Albus; he panders to the old man, because he actually thinks Albus is after his job.
Severus smirked, and shot another hole in the ship. He eyed Albus with interest as he watched him pop a lemon drop in his mouth, then attempt to distract everyone by offering them a sweet as well. Snape continued now, with his well placed comment. "I have to say you would make a wonderful Minister, Albus. You really have the Politian's answer down pat." Snape had to turn away a moment to smirk, when he heard Fudge choke, as the lemon drop he'd accepted went down whole.
"I suggest we invited the Potters and Weasleys to this meeting so they too can see the evidence I have against their sons. We wouldn't want them to feel we hadn't invited them, now would we?" he smirked as Albus' hand slipped into the lemon drop box again.
"Really, Severus," Dumbledore said around his sweet. "We aren't going to be presenting evidence. We all know what happened." The headmaster glared at Severus, and Minerva looked liked she'd been sucking on a lemon.
"Well obviously the Minister here has the wrong idea, so I think it's only fitting that we allow him to see the whole picture." Severus drew the last two words out.
"We couldn't rely on any evidence a sneaky Slytherin gathered," Minerva offered, down her nose. "How would we know it was trustworthy?"
"Tsk tsk, Minerva, watch the claws dear. It was not a member of my house who gathered the recollections. However, there is a record of memory from a member of my house, also one from Ravenclaw and another from Hufflepuff."
"Who collected this evidence?" Minerva demanded.
"I'm not allowing my informant's name to slip, Minerva dear. We will wait while Albus contacts relevant Gryffindors, and Lucius arrives with members from the board of Governors." Severus had moved while he spoke, and now sank gracefully into the chair next to Fudge, but hearing the head of Gryffindor's gasp, he smirked. "Oh, I do apologise, Minerva, didn't I mention that little tit bit of information." His smirk broadened. "Sorry."
Bella's tittering laugh echoed around the room. "Really, professor, you've already admitted you do not trust us, so why so shocked?" Her sparkling eyes followed another lemon drop to its destination. "You shouldn't eat so many sweets headmaster, they'll rot your teeth," she asserted mischievously.
Albus was trying to glare discretely at Bellatrix, Minerva was scowling openly at Severus, who was still wearing his patent smirk, and Narcissa was sitting cross legs, cool and unflappable. Both students present, were smart enough to allow those with more experience to handle their case.
Without warning the floo flared, and out strode Lucius Malfoy, robes streaming behind him, followed by five very disgruntled looking board members. "I do apologise for using your floo, Albus. But I'm sure you would not have wished these school governors, especially Madam Longbottom - he took Augusta's arm and led her to the chair Severus vacated for her - to have to walk up from the gate." The blond wizard sniffed indignantly and swept over to stand next to Severus, after conjuring additional chairs for all four elderly statesmen, Albus hadn't even bothered to greet. Looking down his nose Lucius sneered. "Good morning Fudge," he muttered, like he was greeting the family dog. Finally his gaze settled on Albus."So why are we the only ones here?"
"Albus appears to have forgotten to invite the Potters and Weasleys," Severus smoothed to Lucius.
"Indeed," Lucius inhaled sharply. "You know we are all very busy, Albus. If this issue is not solved within the hour, there will be consequences." He watched with pleasure as both Albus and Minerva blanched. "The behaviour of Potter and Weasley transgresses several school rules I believe," he challenged.
Minerva was the one who cracked first. "We are not here to discuss the behaviour of Gryffindors." She was almost grinding her teeth.
"Yes, if you starting speaking about the injustices perpetrated by Gryffindors we'd be here for a week," Severus stated coldly.
The sharp inhaling of breath, made everyone turn just in time to see Minerva clench her fists in rage. "Are you going to allow him to say such things, Albus?"
The headmaster popped another lemon drop and stalled, eventually shrugging, and saying. "Sticks and stones, my dear."
Suddenly Bella had had enough as well. "Headmaster, as you will appreciate we are all busy people, I believe my son and his nephew have been wrongly targeted, we need this solved so we can all move on with our day." She noticed with pleasure that his eyes cast around the room, mentally adding the number of people against him. At the same moment she heard the crunch of a lemon drop, and smiled at Severus. The Potions master merely raised a sardonic eyebrow.
This was when the eldest and obvious leader of the deputation of Governors spoke. He was a regal looking wizard of advanced years, possibly as old as Albus, and of all things a Gryffindor. Cygnus Prewitt looked around the room. "Albus, I agree with our good Slytherin friends, all parties should be present. This appears to only be stalling tactics, would you like me to summon my grand niece, I'm certain she would be very interested in the proceedings. She has always been strict with her children and would not approve of anyone molly coddling to them."
Finally the headmaster sighed, he knew he couldn't bluff several adult Slytherins, and if Justice Prewitt was against him as well. "Severus, you said something about evidence. May I have it?"
The headmaster held his hand out, even though he knew it was a futile gesture. Severus smirked, shark like. "I think not, allow me. I have been awaiting the opportunity to try a new Pensieve process I've been working on. It lets all viewers to see a memory form the comfort of their arm chair. An intricate wand movement later, and a large elipse of liquid was spinning lazily over the headmaster's desk. Withdrawing the first vial from his pocket, Snape attached the memory to the end of his wand, before flinging it into the slowly rotating sphere of liquid.
As they watched a scene from breakfast appeared in the now still and shimmering liquid. Another of the committee men, one Arcturus Malfoy commented. "Ah, a Ravenclaw perspective, this will be reliable."
The group heard two quiet huffs from the Gryffindor hierarchy, as everyone settled down to watch.
It was a complete record. There was the initial approach of Potter towards Hermione. It was obvious, the head girl was very concerned about whatever issue was being discussed. They watched as her face became pinched and her eyes narrowed, but equally seeing the rage building in Potter and Weasley.
However, from this perspective, you could clearly see Potter's intent was malicious. He already had his wand in his palm, once Hermione turned to answer her professor, you could see the calculated look on his face. He had deliberately struck out at an unarmed witch who was walking away from him, and from what everyone could see only because she had disagreed with him. "The little coward," was heard from Augusta Longbottom, as they watched Severus shield himself and Hermione, after hearing Draco's warning to his head of house.
When the memory finished and was back in the vial, Severus looked at Albus. "Shall we look at the next?" His eyebrow rose smoothly.
Albus was livid, he knew he was beaten. Glancing around from face to face, he shook his head, before swallowing hard and back tracking. "It appears I was mistaken, possibly the angle I was watching from."
There were several disgruntled coughs from around the room. The Slytherins had all risen in disgust at his claim. "You were directly in front of the scene," Arcturus Malfoy scoffed.
"W-well is all happened so f-fast," Minerva added in defence, it was obvious she was slightly flustered.
Fudge now stood. "You'll have to pardon me Albus, I'm afraid my time has run out," without wishing anyone more than a curt good morning he was spinning out of sight.
This was the death knoll, and it was Justice Prewitt summing up. "You have admitted you were mistaken, headmaster. What are you planning to do about it?"
"Ah, yes well," Albus reached for another sweet. Turning to Draco and Theo, he said. "You boys should get back to class."
Both young men turned angry eyes to their headmaster, but it was Lucius who spoke. "And that is it? You accuse my son and nephew of gross misconduct. It is plainly proven that they only acted to avoid disaster, and I might add using only a Stupefy. Unlike the nasty curses being wielded by Potter and Weasley, and you're not even going to commend them for their honourable deed. The streaks of purple I saw flying towards Severus and Miss Granger would have caused serious damage to both… had it hit. These two young men are nothing but thugs and bounders."
"We shall speak with them, of course," Albus smoothed.
"But, will there be consequences for them?" Bella asked. "I know I speak for both myself, my sister, and brother-in-law, when I assure you that should anything befall either of these young men, at the hands of a Gryffindor in the small span of time between now and graduation, as Lucius has explained the consequences will be dire."
Albus took a superior line. "Like all students, I can assure you Madam Lestrange, they will be perfectly safe."
Bella scoffed at his assertion. "Like the poor Gryffindor student this morning, I suppose?" Her smile became devious. "If it hadn't been for dear Severus, you may have had a dead student on your hands. She's the head girl isn't she? You can't even protect her, and she's a Gryffindor."
Slytherin's do not have to be concerned with the well fair of Gryffindor students," Minerva asserted.
"Indeed, and here I was under the mistaken perception that as a teacher at this school, I should be concerned with every student," Severus seethed. "In fact, I have always made it my business to be so. House loyalty is no excuse for prejudice, but I think this is getting off the track. Will Potter and Weasley be expelled for their behaviour?"
"That is something we should discuss with their parents, if the need arises," Minerva said.
Lucius bristled. "Oh, so now you'll be speaking to their parents." He turned to the representatives of the board. "This is discrimination. I want this discussed when next the board meets, or the school may find itself without certain patrons, especially if my son and nephew are not treated fairly in the future." The blond wizard had moved around so he was beside his wife. "So I take it, Draco and Theodore are free to leave without consequence?"
Albus was stone faced, but he nodded. "They are," he managed through is ire.
Lucius pursed his lips. "Does anyone have anything else to add?" There were a few throats cleared within the ranks of the Governors, but nothing was said. "Good, well Professor Snape and I will return… when?"
"Whatever for?" Minerva stuttered.
Lucius chuckled. "You don't think we're allowing you to deal with the Gryffindors alone, do you?"
"Oh, I think Arcturus and I can handle that, Lucius. Thank you for bringing this to our attention," Cygnus stated. Then turning to Draco and Theo, he nodded. "You boys are fine examples of young wizards, well done."
All five board members came over to bid the Slytherin party a good day, two then nodded to Albus and Minerva and headed for the floo. Arcturus and Cygnus, along with Augusta Longbottom, re-seated themselves and looked expectantly at Albus.